Mop-applicator

ABSTRACT

A COMBINED MOP AND WAX APPLICATOR HAS A STORAGE AREA FOR FLUID TO BE DISPENSED WITHIN ITS HANDLE AND HAS PLUNGER MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH A BASE CLOSURE. THE PLUNGER IS OPERATED BY PRESSURE APPLIED THERETO DURING OPERATION. THE MOP-APPLICATOR HAS AN OPTIONAL SQUEEZE PLATE ASSEMBLY, AND MAY HAVE MEANS FOR DEACTIVATING THE PLUNGER.

R. G. BROQKS Jan. 5 1971 MOP-APPLICATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1968 7% 434 /32 1 &

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MOP-APPLICATOR Filed July 12, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 24V 6. 5200445,

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Y mag MW United States Patent 3,552,870 MOP-APPLICATOR Ray G. Brooks, Irving, Tex., assignor to C. E. Shepherd, Houston, Tex. Filed July 12, 1968, Ser. No. 744,432 Int. Cl. A46b 11/04 U.S. Cl. 401-206 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A combined mop and wax applicator has a storage area for fluid to be dispensed within its handle and has plunger means associated with a base closure. The plunger is operated by pressure applied thereto during operation. The mop-applicator has an optional squeeze plate assembly, and may have means for deactivating the plunger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the invention This invention relates to a new and novel combined mop and applicator in which a major objective resides in the provision of a mop-applicator in which a fluid s stored within the apparatus for controlled dispensing.

(2) Statement of the prior art It has heretofore been known to provide wax applicators in which a tubular handle is used for storage of polishes, and wherein a dispensing valve is disposed between the handle and an applicator portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a combined mop and applicator having a handle means adaptable to each of its intended functions, the handle means further serving as a storage area for material to be dispensed.

The storage means of the invention provides for the controlled discharge of fluids, such as foam-form waxes, and the like, dispensed upon need by a valve system.

An important objective of the present invention is to provide a household appliance wherein both a waxing head and a sponge mop may be employed on a single handle interchangeably.

A further objective resides in the provision of a device of the character indicated having means for readily changing the mop or sponge head without complex disassembly, the connection means involving no fasteners such as screws or the like.

Yet another objective resides in providing a device of the character indicated in which a squeeze plate may be optionally employed. Another optional feature of the invention comprises a means for deactivating the dispensing mechanism selectively.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the following specification when read in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective View, foreshortened, of a first form of mop-applicator constructed and assembled in accordance with the teaching of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the invention seen from the approximate plane of the line 22 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on the section line 33 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 4 is a further sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Patented Jan. 5, 1971 FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a further modification;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the FIG. 7 apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of said apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an optional selector mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a modification of the apparatus, foreshortened for dsclosure of details; and

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the incorporation of spring means in the selective control mechanism.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 4 and FIG. 11 of the drawing, a basic form of this invention is therein identified by reference numeral 20. The appliance cornprises a dispensing wax applicator and sponge mop, usable for either a waxing operation or in normal mopping functions. In construction, the mop-applicator 20 includes a storage handle assembly 22 of metal or similar rigid material comprising an elongated, tubular handle body 24 having a chamber 26 therein extending substantially its full length. The handle body 24 includes a lower end portion 28 terminating in an end edge 30, and has an opposite upper end portion 32 (FIG. 11) with an end edge 34. The chamber 26 comprises a storage area for Waxes and the like to be applied with this device.

The upper end has cap means 36 thereon formed of a durable plastic or like substance. The cap means 36 comprises a sleeve 38 which frictionally engages the upper end 32 and which includes an interior, inwardly band 40 which abuts the edge 34 at its lower side 42 and has an opposite upper side 44. A lid 46 is secured for releasable connection on the sleeve by an integral hinge 48. The lid has a depending, beaded flange 50 which seats against the upper side 44 of the band 40 when the lid is in closed position. For convenience of release, a tab 52 of the lid extends over an opening 54 in a sleeve lateral extension 56 whereby the lid is easily removable by the application of pressure through the opening against the tab. For use in those instances wherein the admission of ambient atmosphere is required in order to expel fluids from the opposite end of the storage area, the lid 46 has a central opening 58 fitted with a closing pin 60 having an enlarged head 62, a shank 64 extending through the opening 58, and an interior boss 66. The boss 66 and shank 64 are split as at 70 so that, upon elevation of the closing pin it assumes the raised position until manually closed, and admits air while in such position.

The opposite, lower end of the handle is provided with a bottom closure assembly 72 connected, by frictional sleeve 74 on the end portion 28. The sleeve has an extension forming a skirt portion 76 which is substantially rectangular in outline form. Intermediate these two portions, a central division wall 78 divides the sleeve, and abuts against the edge 30 of the handle. A tubular valve body 80 is integrally formed about a central opening 82 in the wall 78 providing a passage-way for communication between the interior area 84 of the skirt portion and the storage area 26 of the handle. The upper end of the valve body 80 has an annular seat 86. Mounted within the valve body passage-way is a plunger 88 having a guide section 90, and enlarged cap 92, and a stem 94. The cap is of a configuration and dimension such that, when seated on a packing member 96 of the valve seat 86, the passageway is effectively closed to the transmission of fluids. Ex-

tending radially from the stem 94 are several vanes 98. A stop member is secured to the vanes, and a coil spring 102 is disposed about the vanes between the stop member and the wall 78 to exert a constant force downwardly against the stop member thereby retaining the valve in closed position. The stop has a central opening 104 therein, aligned with the plunger, and substantially cylindrical pin 106 is secured therein for purpose appearing below.

The skirt 76 is outwardly fiared and includes a front wall 108, rear wall 110, and sides 112, 114. The respective walls have a common peripheral edge 116 which, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, has a connection groove 118 formed therein.

Snap fit to the skirt is a mop-applicator head 120 comprising a body portion 122 with an upper rim structure having sloping forward, rear and side Walls 124, 126, and 128-130 respectively. The body portion rim structure also includes a base wall 132 with reinforcing braces 134, 136 on either side of a central opening 138. Extending from the rim wall 126 and over the opening is a flexible tongue 140. On the tongue free end is a block from lug 142 having an angular upper surface 144. As will be seen in the drawing, the lug is of substantial depth and projects downwardly into a foam material sponge element 144 which is permanently secured to the base 140. The releaseable connection of the skirt and body portion is accomplished by engagement of an upper, beaded edge 146 of the rim structure within the groove 118. The element and the rim structure are each formed of semirigid plastic material, one example of which found particularly applicable being polyprolene. The assembly and disassembly procedure involves only a placement of the skirt against the rim wall, the mop being rested against the floor, followed by application of sufficient force to cause the elements to interengage. The head may be removed merely by placing ones foot on one of the side walls 128 and lifting the handle sidewardly thereby causing the element to disengage.

The liquid material to be stored in the handle, as previously indicated, such as wax, is stored within the handle prior to use of the invention. As its dispensing is required during operation, the user activates the valves by the exertion of a force against the mop head sufficient to depress the lug 142 and cause its surface 144 to press against the pin 106 causing, in turn, an upward movement of the valve plunger raising the cap 92 from the seat. Fluid then flows about the plunger through the valve passage-way and about the tongue, into the sponge 144. This action results in the foaming of the liquid wax and consequent maximum utilization thereof.

In FIGS. 5 and 6, the adaptability of the handle 22 to use either with or without the applicator feature of the invention is depicted. Here, a sleeve 74a and skirt 76a devoid of a valve mechanism are attached to the lower end 28 of the handle as previously discussed. The skirt has a mop head 120a snapfit thereto, also in the manner described above, but the base portion 132a is imperforate and lacks a depressable portion. A conventional sponge mop 144a, formed of either cellulose or polyester, is fixedly secured thereto.

In this embodiment of the invention, a squeeze plate assembly 148 (which may be used with any of the several forms of the invention with modifications) is shown. The plate assembly comprises a connection element 150 of inverted funnel like fOlTfl having a back 152, front 154 and sides 156, and 158 which fit about the skirt 76 or 76a, the front 154 including a forward flange element 160 extending in depth to the level of the base 132a of the rim structure. Extending horizontally from the back 152 is an integral hinge plate 162 having fold lines 164 and 166 at its proximal and distal ends, respectively. A squeeze plate 168, having a surrounding flange 170 is joined to the hinge plate along the line 166. As seen in FIG. 5, numerous perforations 172 are formed in the plate to permit fluid passage the'rethroug'li in clearing the mop 144 of moisture or the like. A clamp 174 having arms 176 with ears 178 which releaseably embrace the handle 24 is provided.

The Operation of the plate involves manual release of the ears 178 and swinging of the squeeze plate about its fold lines against the mop 144 or 144a.

FIG. 7 illustrates an arrangement like that of FIGS. 5 and 6, except that the plate assembly 148b has an extended scraping element 180 afl'lxed, either integrally or otherwise, on its front 1541). The element 180 is tapered outwardly to a leading edge 182 which is useful in scraping functions, such as the removel of old wax from floors prior to rewaxing.

In FIG. 8, yet another form of the invention is disclosed, reference numerals for elements corresponding to the fiirst described form of the invention being differentiated by the addition of the letter 0 thereto. In the valve structure of this embodiment of the'invention, the pin 1060 is of reduced length and cannot directly contact the depressable lug 1420. The tongue 140s has an opening 184 formed therein intermediate its ends. Secured in that opening by rivets 185 or the like is a collar 186 shown per se in FIG. 10. The collar has a bore 190- therein with a reduced opening 192 at one side.

The back wall 110: of the skirt 76c has a bore 194 formed therein and a rod 196 is slidably mounted for limited reciprocating movement in the bore and through the bore 190 and opening 192. The rod 196 has an operating handle 198 located exteriorly of the skirt after assembly, and an interior stop collar 200. Adjacent its inner end it has two spaced apart detent areas 202 and 204 of reduced diameter which temporarily set the inward position of the rod by being engaged in the reduced opening 192 of the collar 186.

Secured to the interior end of the rod 196 is a hinge section 206 with a fold line 208. Transmission block 210 is joined to the hinge sections, and has a bottom lug 212 and an upper surface 214 with a top end flange 216. As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission block is located between the lug 1420 (which has a recess therein to receive the lug 212), and the pin 1060. With the block in the position in that view, in which the rod is set at its outermost position, the block transmits force on the lug to the pin to open the valve. If however the rod is pushed inwardly so that the detent 202 is within the opening 192, the transmission block is moved forwardly and movement of the lug does not contact the pin. Thus, the apparatus is employed alternatively as to function.

The squeeze plate assembly 1480 is of the construction of the assembly 148, except that the hinge plate 162a thereof has a central window 217 therein to permit the plates to pivot about the rod 196, and the squeeze plate 1680 has a corresponding open area at 218 whereby its compression against the sponge 1440 does not effect the lug 142s.

In FIGS 11 and 12, a further form of the invention is illustrated, corresponding structural elements being distinguished by the addition of the letter d to the reference numeral thereof. Here, the rod 196d of the selector means is devoid of reduced areas or detents, and a spring 220 is disposed between the collar 186d and the collar 200d. The spring constantly urges the transmission block 210d to a position between the pin 106d and the depressable lug 142d. Thus, the transmission lug is held in operating position at all times unless the rod is inwardly depressed. The squeeze plate assembly 148d includes an imperforate hinge plate 16201 and therefore the dispensingmechanism is automatically deactivated whenever the squeeze plate is in use. 1

Having described and illustrated several embodiments of this invention in some detail, it will be understood that these descriptions and illustrations have-been offered only by way of example, and that the invention is to be limited in scope only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispensing mop and applicator comprising: handle means having a storage area for fluid materials; cap means on the handle means, the cap means, including an air inlet;

a bottom closure engaged with the handle means and including a depending rim structure;

a normally closed dispensing valve mechanism incorporated in said bottom closure, the valve mechanism including a sleeve with a passage-way therein communicating with the storage area of the handle means, a plunger having a cap of a configuration adapted to close the passage-way in normal position, and spring means constantly urging the plunger to a location whereat the cap is in said normal position;

a portion of said plunger being arranger in exposed position;

means for selective contact with the plunger to move said plunger cap from said normal position and permit fluid flow from the storage area;

the mop-applicator having an upper rim structure and a working portion;

the upper rim structure including a frame engageable with the depending rim structure;

the upper rim structure having a lug depressable in response to pressure applied to the working portion to contact the exposed portion of the plunger and thereby effect a flow of fluid from the storage area to the working area; and

movable transmission means incorporated in the upper rim structure to effect contact between the lug and the plunger.

2. The invention of claim 1, wherein:

the transmission means comprises an elongated rod mounted in a bore formed in said upper rim structure, a collar on said rod, a block collar element secured to the upper rim. structure inwardly of the bore, a spring mounted between the block collar element and the collar, and a transmitting block between the lug and plunger in one position of the rod.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,730,741 1/1956 Gantz 15--116 2,835,910 5/ 1958 Kautenberg 151 19 2,876,476 3/ 1959 WOOds 401206 3,014,230 12/ 1961 Morgan 15-119 3,099,035 7/ 1963 Plost 401206 25 HARLAND S. SKOGQUIST, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

